A brief informational text for anyone who would like to know what this is all about (from 2011, with revisions from 2019).
A convention is a gathering that takes place around a specific theme. In our case, we all meet because we want to juggle together.
At a juggling convention, jugglers usually meet over a weekend to exchange tricks, meet new people, and get inspired.
At every juggling convention, there are workshops where you can learn a lot. From “Three balls for beginners” to “Aerial acrobatics tricks for duos” to “Five clubs tricks,” every level is represented. The workshops are held voluntarily by other participants. Everyone teaches others what they themselves can do, true to the motto: By jugglers, for jugglers, which is very important for the juggling scene. Without this motto, juggling conventions simply would not exist, because all these events are organized on a voluntary basis by jugglers who want to offer themselves and others a platform where they can enjoy their hobby together.
Juggling conventions almost always take place in gyms because they are large enough for a) the large number of people who gather there (approx. 150-200, now over 400 in our case) and b) for all kinds of tricks, where juggling objects are often thrown up to the ceiling. Accommodation at conventions is usually in a second hall, in classrooms or other rooms as dormitories. Comfort is not so important, as most people have limited time to sleep due to all the learning and training. That's why the juggling hall is open 24 hours a day.
Most juggling conventions also have a gala show or open stage. At an open stage, artists who want to perform sign up spontaneously, and it's a surprise what will be shown in this show. In theory, anyone has the opportunity to present their new act to an expert audience or simply try out what it feels like to be on stage. In contrast, a gala show (also known as a public show) is a show that is planned in advance and is comparable to a variety show. The organizers put together a varied and high-quality program, and the show is usually aimed not only at the participants but also at other interested parties. After mostly having an open stage in the early days in Nürtingen, we now have significantly more experience and can put on a gala show, which is performed twice due to high interest so that everyone can get a seat.
Other official program items include juggling games, a kind of Olympics where the organizers come up with fun games that can be played with juggling equipment, and Skill Night, a competition for jugglers. This involves disciplines such as endurance (juggling for as long as possible) or certain difficult tricks.
Finally, some information for parents whose children are attending a juggling convention for the first time: Conventions are completely apolitical events; we are not a cult, we just train together. Of course, this sometimes goes on late into the night and you might get hit in the face with a club while practicing, but there are few events that offer as many great new impressions as a juggling convention. Your child will probably come home with a few bruises, but also with lots of new juggling tricks and enthusiasm. Since we naturally take care of the younger generation, we have posted a consent form on our website that everyone under the age of 18 must bring with them, signed. You can also enter the name of a guardian who will be responsible for your child over the weekend. There is no special childcare program at conventions, but there are certainly plenty of activities to keep them busy.
Update 2021: What is an online convention?
Well, basically, we on the organizing team are asking ourselves the same thing. We are taking the step of holding our event, which has joint training, meeting friends, community, and socializing as its central elements. We want to replicate this community online and have chosen the Workadventure platform for this purpose. Here, participants can playfully interact with others and get to know new people in a safe environment. Of course, there is no direct contact, and jugglers are usually very tactile, meaning they want to touch things and people. Nevertheless, we believe that this opportunity, however small, to talk to others, learn something new, and exchange ideas is valuable for all of us. We want to maintain contact with the juggling scene and also offer a platform for newcomers to become part of this scene.